SCARPA adds climber Shawn Raboutou to athlete roster, along with 10 other alpinists, trail runners and climbers

BOULDER, Colo. (April 20, 2023) – SCARPA, one of the world’s leaders in performance mountain footwear, added climber Shawn Raboutou to its roster of professional athletes and ambassadors. The Boulder, CO native is currently the only person with two V17 (9A) ascents under his belt and will spend the coming year working towards additional V17s such as Burden of Dreams (Finland) and Sudain Seul (Fontainebleau).

“We’re so happy that Shawn is a part of the SCARPA family,” said Stefanie Kamm, Athlete Manager at SCARPA North America. “His accomplishments speak for themselves, but we’ve been consistently impressed with Shawn’s career for years. He has some exciting projects on the horizon and we can’t wait to see him crushing them in SCARPA shoes.”

Raboutou’s addition to the climbing team puts him in good company – he’ll be amongst the likes of Alex Puccio, Nathaniel Coleman, Alannah Yip, Sean Bailey and many other accomplished athletes. Shawn plans to tackle his goals in his favorite SCARPA shoe lineup – namely, the Drago LV and Instinct VSR.

Continuing the momentum, SCARPA is also adding multiple new athletes in the mountain, run and climb disciplines.

SCARPA is pleased to welcome the below athletes to their team:

 

Andrew King

Andrew is an alpinist currently residing in Los Angeles, CA and Lisbon, Portugal who’s solo climbed Cosmiques Arete Chamonix. His favorite zones are anywhere in the French or Italian Alps, and his favorite SCARPA shoe is the Phantom Tech.

 

Jackson Marvell

Jackson is an alpinist from Utah, who has climbed Techno Terror on Pyramid Peak and established many routes and first ascents in Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan. His favorite SCARPA shoe is the Phantom Tech.

 

Joshua Jarrin

Joshua is an alpinist from Ecuador who lead the process for Ecuador to become a country member of the IFMGA. He’s also climbed the Cassin pillar of Denali, completed a first ascent in Nepal and guided Makalu. Joshua uses the entire line of SCARPA boots, and loves the F1 LT for ski mountaineering missions.

 

Krissy Moel 

Krissy is a trail runner from Bellingham, WA, and has over twenty years of running experience under her belt. She has placed as the first female in The Tour du Mont Blanc 150 km, Hardrock 100, The Hurt 100, UTMB Mont Fuji and broken the Wonderland Trail FKT. Krissy’s favorite SCARPA shoes are the Golden Gate Kima RT and Golden Gate ATR.

 

Chris Fisher

Chris is a trail runner currently residing in Breckenridge, CO, and was the first person to out and back the WURL (Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup). He set a World Record in 2021 for the most vertical feet climbed in a single month (400,000), and his favorite SCARPA shoe is the Ribelle Run Kalibra G.

 

Canyon Woodward 

Canyon is a trail runner from Franklin, NC who has set an unsupported FKT on S.C.A.R. and placed in the top 50 at UTMB 2022. He’s an advocate for environmental and political change, and his favorite SCARPA shoe is the Golden Gate Kima RT.

 

Lucie Hanes

Lucie is a trail runner and climber based in Western CO, and has climbed El Chapo in Rifle Mountain Park, and placed 6th in the Leadville Silver Rush 50 Miler. She’s also getting her Master’s in sports psychology and is passionate about fostering better mental health practices in sports environments. Her favorite shoe is the Spin Ultra.

 

Lor Sabourin

Lor is a climber currently based in Flagstaff, AZ who has climbed Cousin of Death, Insomnia Canyon, IV 5.13+. They work as the Training Leader for the Warrior’s Way, a mental training organization that uses climbing as a foundation for developing awareness, engaging challenges with intention and building personal power. Lor’s favorite SCARPA shoe is the Instinct VS.

 

Shara Zaia 

Shara is a Denver, CO based climber who created Cruxing in Color as an effort to pair her passions for education and the outdoors and break down barriers within the sport. Cruxing in Color is a meetup platform aiming to connect, inspire and educate self-identified POC within the context of climbing by offering free mentorship and access to gear. Shara’s favorite SCARPA shoe is the Instinct VS.

 

Amity Warme

Amity is a climber and sports dietician from Colorado, who has a number of incredible ground up ascents like Freerider, Golden Gate and El Corazon on El Cap. She’s passionate about both big wall climbing and helping others use nutrition to maximize their performance and long-term health.

Amity’s favorite SCARPA shoe is the Instinct VS Women’s.

To learn more about the SCARPA community and athlete team, please visit scarpa.com.

 

About SCARPA and SCARPA North America 

Founded in 1938, SCARPA builds performance footwear for climbing, hiking, skiing, mountaineering, trail running and other outdoor pursuits from its headquarters in Asolo, Italy. SCARPA has been owned and operated by the Parisotto family since 1956. In 2005, SCARPA opened its North American headquarters in Boulder, Colo., staffed and directed by veterans of the North American outdoor industry, to oversee sales, marketing and distribution in the U.S., Canada and South America. For more information about SCARPA footwear, visit www.scarpa.com.

 

La Sportiva North America Is Climate Neutral

BOULDER, CO (April, 20) – La Sportiva North America, makers of the world’s finest mountain gear, announced today that it is officially Climate Neutral Certified. La Sportiva North America joins the growing movement of companies achieving the Climate Neutral Certified standard by measuring its 2022 greenhouse gas emissions. The company has made a concerted effort to limit emissions and is offsetting its footprint with eligible-verified credits. Climate Neutral Certified is the leading consumer label for climate neutrality. It employs a rigorous independent certification program to confirm that a company has effectively achieved net-zero carbon emissions across its entire greenhouse gas footprint through a combination of emissions reductions and offsets.

“This is an important step for our company,” said Jonathan Lantz, President of La Sportiva North America. “As an organization that was born in the mountains, we feel that it is our responsibility to reduce our environmental impact where possible and offset our remaining footprint. To put it simply, it’s just the right thing to do. We are very proud of the efforts that we have made here, but we know that there is more work to be done.”

This certification is the latest step in La Sportiva North America’s efforts to reduce its impact on the environment and make climate action a central aspect of the brand’s business model. The offset accounts for every item brought into the US and Canada with the brand garnering credits by investing in projects that cover emissions generated from material production, transportation and manufacturing.

As a part of its carbon offset initiatives, La Sportiva North America is supporting a number of projects throughout the globe. La Sportiva partnered with ClimeCo, a leading global sustainability and environmental solutions company, in the selection of these carbon offset project options. The Boulder-based company is assisting the Sichuan Furong Coal Mine Methane Utilization Project, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by capturing and using coal mine methane for power generation.

La Sportiva North America is also assisting with the Cordillera Azul National Park REDD+ Project in central Peru, which works to avoid deforestation in the Cordillera Azul National Park. This multi-dimensional project contributes to biodiversity conservation and supports the well-being of local communities. Additionally, the company  is working with the Crow Lake Wind Project. Located near Chamberlain, South Dakota, this project generates emissions reductions by displacing grid-connected sources through the production of renewable wind energy.

“Climate Neutral Certified companies are demonstrating that immediate action on climate change is possible and essential,” says Austin Whitman, CEO of Climate Neutral. “Climate Neutral Certified brands have built a powerful movement that gives companies and consumers meaningful ways to act on climate—today.”

Climate Neutral’s certification program, rooted in globally acknowledged standards for carbon measurement and neutrality, sets a positive example for responsible brand practices. With a rigorous process in place, certified brands are held accountable for measuring their greenhouse gas emissions from cradle to customer, committing to reduction action plans for the next 12-24 months, and investing in eligible-verified carbon credits to offset their footprint. As the process repeats annually for recertification, it showcases a genuine dedication to sustainability and serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against climate change.

Learn more about Climate Neutral and its community of certified brands at climateneutral.org.

###

About La Sportiva North America

With over 90 years of heritage, La Sportiva has unrivaled experience in building the world’s finest performance mountain footwear. Creating innovation through passion, La Sportiva now offers the most versatile technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking shoes on the market as well as ski mountaineering hardware and apparel. For more information on La Sportiva visit www.lasportivausa.com or visit their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/LaSportiva.

About Climate Neutral

A 501(c)3 nonprofit, Climate Neutral leads a global movement of individuals and companies to eliminate carbon emissions. Our label, Climate Neutral Certified, is a trusted, independent standard for climate neutrality. It empowers consumers to find brands that are leading on immediate climate action. All companies that get certified must reduce and compensate for all of their emissions from making and delivering products and services. Climate Neutral works with over 400 companies and their label can be found on millions of products worldwide. Join us at climateneutral.org

Outdoor Industry Association Announces Rep. Barragán as a Friend of the Industry

BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole today announced U.S. Representative Nanette Barragán, D-CA, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the co-chair of the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Congressional Task Force, as a recipient of OIA’s Friend of the Industry Award.

“Rep. Barragán is dedicated to protecting our public lands and waters and investing in initiatives to expand access to the outdoors for all Americans – regardless of zip code. A tremendous champion for equitable access and opportunity, she is a lead sponsor of the ‘Outdoors for All Act,’ which is designed to provide much-needed funding for urban green spaces. We are grateful for her work to raise awareness about this important issue and look forward to working together with her to protect America’s great outdoors.”

“I am honored to receive the Friend of Industry award from the Outdoor Industry Association. OIA’s work to support outdoor access and park equity for communities of color and low-income communities is critical for the health and well-being of our communities, and the environment. I look forward to our continued efforts to pass the Outdoors for All Act, fight climate change, and close the nature equity gap in Latino communities and communities of color,” said Rep. Barragán.

The Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award is awarded to members of Congress in recognition of their legislative leadership on outdoor recreation issues, protecting public lands and waterways, and supporting the $862 billion outdoor industry and its 4.5 million employees.

###

About the Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.

Outdoor Industry Association Announces Sen. Joe Manchin as a Friend of the Industry

 BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole today announced U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-WV, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, as a recipient of OIA’s Friend of the Industry Award.

“Senator Manchin played an instrumental role in the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s $369 billion in new funding for climate solutions and infrastructure. Additionally, his sponsorship of the ‘America’s Outdoor Recreation Act’ – the most comprehensive outdoor recreation package since the Kennedy administration – is instrumental for the future of our industry and access to our public lands and waterways for the record number of outdoor participants. We are grateful for Sen. Manchin’s work to sustain and support outdoor recreation opportunities.”

“It is an honor to accept this award from the Outdoor Industry Association,” Senator Manchin said. “OIA has a strong history of advocating for America’s public lands and our beautiful outdoor spaces. As an avid outdoorsmen and son of Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, some of my proudest moments in Congress have been working to protect and conserve the American traditions of hunting, fishing, hiking and more. I look forward to continuing to work with OIA to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy and fall in love with the great outdoors as we all have.”

The Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award is awarded to members of Congress in recognition of their legislative leadership on outdoor recreation issues, protecting public lands and waterways, and supporting the $862 billion outdoor industry and its 4.5 million employees.

###

About the Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.

Outdoor Industry Association Announces Rep. Adrian Smith as a Friend of the Industry

BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole today announced U.S. Representative Adrian Smith, R-NE, chair of the Trade Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, as a recipient of OIA’s Friend of the Industry Award.

“Rep. Smith is a long-time champion of the outdoor economy and OIA’s balanced trade agenda. He led the effort to add travel goods to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), resulting in $300 million in duty savings annually for outdoor companies and a $5 billion shift of trade out of China. We look forward to continuing to work with him as a leader in the effort to renew GSP and pass a package of miscellaneous tariff bills (MTBs) to support the bottom line of outdoor companies, local businesses, and American communities.”

“I’m honored to receive this award. A strong outdoor industry needs sound trade policy to level the playing field and compete fairly in the global marketplace. We must continue to aggressively pursue American interests to the benefit of businesses, manufacturers, and consumers alike,” said Rep. Smith.

The Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award is awarded to members of Congress in recognition of their legislative leadership on outdoor recreation issues, protecting public lands and waterways, and supporting the $862 billion outdoor industry and its 4.5 million employees.

###

About the Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.

ARC’TERYX EXPANDS CHICAGO PRESENCE WITH NEW OAKBROOK CENTER OPENING

The Canadian outdoor brand’s newest store opening reflects deep investment in the greater Chicagoland community, tripling its retail footprint in the market since 2021

This week Arc’teryx, the Canadian high-performance mountain gear and apparel brand, expanded to a third store in the Chicago area with the opening of Arc’teryx Oakbrook Center. Located west of downtown Chicago, the new store occupies 4,788 square feet in the popular Oakbrook Center.

The Oakbrook Center location will offer the full breadth of Arc’teryx products, including mainline products for snow, climb and trail activities, in addition to an expanded footwear selection. The store will also feature the brand’s Veilance line, offering technical apparel for city environments.

Showcasing the brand’s commitment to a circular future, the new Oakbrook Center store will be home to Chicago’s first ReBIRD™ Service Center. Focusing on guest education and product care services, the 115 square foot ReBIRD™ Service Center will help guests to keep their gear performing at its best for years to come. Guests will also be able to access on-site light-touch repairs, including new zipper sliders, and taping of small holes. Product experts will conduct on-site product assessments and process larger-scale repairs through regional hubs.

“The new Chicago Oakbrook Center store underlines Arc’teryx’s commitment to Chicago’s outdoor community,” said Delaney Schweitzer, Chief Commercial Officer. “Our second North America store opening – and first ReBIRD Service Center – of 2023, this marks an important step on our journey to expand our retail fleet and to provide the highest possible level of service to our guests. Looking ahead, 2023 will see Arc’teryx store openings across North America, in both communities we know, as well as new communities we’re meeting for the first time. Through this commercial expansion, we’re excited to build community, share our love for the mountains, and connect with our guests face to face.”

Arc’teryx has been building its presence within the Chicago community since 2021, when it opened its first store in the city on Rush Street. Over the subsequent two years, the brand has opened an outlet in Bucktown, and garnered strong and sustained community growth through ongoing engagement, partnerships and events. The opening of the Oakbrook Center location comes shortly after a community circularity workshop in partnership with Columbia University, and one week before the brand’s biggest Chicago community event to date: ALL RISE Chicago. An experimental climbing program aimed at making climbing more accessible to marginalized communities, ALL RISE is working with Arc’teryx and Braindead to unite the community through an all-day climbing festival at local gym, Brooklyn Boulders.

“Arc’teryx exists to unite communities of mountain lovers, athletes and design enthusiasts across the globe,” said Stephanie Jamieson, Director of North America Community. “From our home in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, we’re driven to share our love of big days in the mountains, keeping our gear in play for as long as possible, and to embrace a wider “we” in the great outdoors. We’ve found a vibrant and engaged community in Arc’teryx, who share our passion for spending time outside and pushing boundaries with innovative products. We’re excited to expand our offerings of events and partnerships, connect with new ambassadors, learn from the Chicago community, and grow ever deeper roots in and around the city.”

Arc’teryx Oakbrook Center by numbers:

  • 4,788 square foot
  • 28th retail store in the
  • Address: Unit 2228 – 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook,
  • Grand opening date: Saturday 22 April
  • 115 square foot ReBIRD™ Service Center offering product care, light-touch repairs, on-site product assessment and guest education.

###

About Arc’teryx: Arc’teryx is a Canadian company based in the Coast Mountains. Our design process is connected to the real world, focused on delivering durable, unrivaled performance. Our products are distributed through more than 2,400 retail locations worldwide, including over 160 branded stores. We are problem solvers, always evolving and searching for a better way to deliver resolved, minimalist designs. Good design that matters makes lives better

Reima appoints new Head of Cluster for North America

Marc Cutilletta has been appointed Head of North America and will be responsible for Reima’s business and operations in both US and Canada.  Reima is a globally leading kids’ activewear brand. Founded in Finland in 1944, Reima employs around 400 people. The company’s turnover was €154 million (USD 170 million) in 2022. Reima’s products and solutions are available in over 50 countries with 85% of net sales come from international markets. Reima’s mission is to gear up the next generation of happy, active kids, preparing them for the world to come. Reima’s design principles are innovation, functionality, safety, and fresh Finnish design. Read more at www.reima.com

Marc Cutilletta has over 25 years of experience in sales, particularly in the wholesale channel. Marc was most recently the Director of Sales at Hestra Gloves North America, a well-known glove company from Sweden. Marc has been working at Hestra since 2012, built a nationwide distribution network for the brand, and driven consistent sales growth with his team while increasing loyalty and brand awareness.

Marc is based in Denver, Colorado. He has a B.A. degree in Economics from Colorado State University. He will report directly to CEO Elina Björklund and be a member of the Reima Commercial Board.

“When Marc joins Reima, our company will take a step forward in building an omnichannel sales set-up for the entire North American market. I am confident that we can secure a seamless operation under his leadership, with the help of his experience in implementing effective sales strategies and operations. Welcome onboard, Marc!”

Elina Björklund
CEO

The Thru-Hike Syndicate Embarks on its 9th Season of Supporting the Thru Hike Community

San Francisco, CA – JAM Collective, a dynamic and versatile public relations and communications agency with 20 years of experience in the outdoor space, is pleased to announce the roster of ambassadors for the Thru-Hike Syndicate’s 2023 season. Now entering its ninth season, the Thru-Hike Syndicate is a brand partner-powered program supporting a select and diverse group of thru-hikers attempting to complete some of the most iconic long trails throughout North America. This year’s sponsors include Darn Tough Vermont, Biolite, LEKI USA, NEMO Equipment, Osprey Packs, Mountain House, Kahtoola, Sawyer and Vasque Footwear.

“From the experienced thru-hikers to the first-timers, we are so inspired by the stories of this year’s ambassadors and appreciative of the brands who support this incredible program,” said Julie Atherton, founder of JAM Collective.

This year, six ambassadors were chosen from over 100 applicants. Collectively, the 2023 ambassadors are attempting to hike over 6,000 miles across seven trails. Each ambassador was chosen based on a combination of factors, including their trail selections, hiking experience (the roster includes a mix of experienced thru-hikers and first-timers), passion for the outdoors, photographic and storytelling abilities, compelling personal stories, and unique perspectives.

“It’s been a privilege to come into the Thru Hike Syndicate as the program manager since 2022 with continuing and new sponsors alike,” said Tori Duhaime, Thru-Hike Program Manager. “I aim to lead the program into an ever expanding representation of who is a thru hiker.”

The ambassadors selected will utilize the latest and best gear from each sponsor company on their adventures,  representing each brand on the trail.

Thru-Hike Syndicate 2023 Ambassador Roster:

  • Stacee Ash (she/her) – hiking the Appalachian Trail
  • Matti Mejia (they/she) – hiking the PCT
  • Song Seto (she/her) – hiking the Trans Catalina Trail and Wonderland Trail
  • Armando Rodriguez (he/him) – hiking the Trans Catalina Trail and Highline Trail
  • Aly Winkler (she/her) – hiking the Arizona Trail
  • Halle Homel (she/her) – hiking the Oregon coast Trail and Wonderland Trail

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to once again be the official footwear partner of the Thru-Hike-Syndicate,” said Joe Peters, Marketing Director at Vasque Footwear.   “We’re constantly inspired by those that make time to spend outside – but these folks are really out there, really going the distance- immersing themselves in the experience”

To follow the journey of each ambassador on the Thru-Hike Syndicate Instagram Account @thruhikesyndicate.

About JAM Collective

Founded by Julie Atherton and based in San Francisco, California, JAM Collective focuses on strategic planning, effective social media networking, and influential product placement to generate brand visibility and further connect its clients with consumers. Over the past 20 years, JAM Collective has evolved into a versatile and accomplished boutique public relations and media agency with an impressive roster of nationally and internationally recognized clients, all the while maintaining a deep level of client involvement.